Coverdale was educated at St Peter's School, York, and Emmanuel College, Cambridge.
He had a distinguished career in cricket administration, before joining a hospitality firm, European Events, in 2005.
A qualified solicitor, Coverdale joined the BBC as a broadcaster and Head of Department, before being appointed as Chief Executive of Northamptonshire County Cricket Club in 1985, a post he held for a record nineteen years.
His broadcasting career included a spell during the early 80s as anchorman for the BBC Radio Leeds Saturday sports programme during the winter months.
He is the father of Paul Coverdale, a cricketing all-rounder who was, until 2007, on Northamptonshire's staff.